The Hat-Overlooked Outdoor Necessity

H

Hazardous

Joined
Nov 27, 1999
Messages
42
I think that often us folks interested in wilderness survival get caught up in a high-tech equipment race and overlook some obvious, important low-tech necessities. I know I'm guilty of this.

Besides being in good physical shape (Ugh! how low-tech and uninteresting is that!) and having good quality boots that fit, I think a good hat is next in the line of low-tech items that can really make a difference in your outdoor experience. My battered Filson fedora has protected me through both snow and blazing sun. It has helped me continue to walk in the woods through rain and hailstorms. It has also shaded my eyes for a quick nap by a trout stream. I wouldn't go hunting, fishing, backpacking without it. When the weather gets really cold, it's replaced with a thick fleece watchcap, but generally the Filson gets more head time than anything else.

I backpack with people who don't wear hats and inevitably they get sunburn or complain about the rain. These are often the same people who carry a GPS but no compass or the brightest flashlight available but with nearly dead batteries.

Cheezy ball caps are better than nothing, but a good hat with a wide brim all around is best in my book. Don't get me wrong, I love gadgets that work, but I love my hat, too. What do you folks think?
 
I have to love my Fedora, as ratty as it is becoming.
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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
Overlooked? Certainly not by me, I'll bet you haven't seen me outdoors without something on my head in a long, long time.

OK, there may be such a photo on my web site, but if so it's an exception.

I used to wear Tilleys, now it's mostly for travel as it can be rolled up when not in use, otherwise it's Akubras but lately I've become fond of my single Mad Hatters (also Australian, but thicker than the Akubras and with a chin strap).

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Urban Fredriksson
www.canit.se/%7Egriffon/
Latest udates Moki Blossom and Fällkniven S1

No knife content: My trip to Japan

"All this takes only about ten seconds, and then I hang the knife vertically, with a nail through the thong hole (and that's one of the big reasons why most every LOVELESS knife has a thong tube; it makes things easy, handling the blades and knives here in the shop)."
- How to make knives, Richard W. Barney and Robert W. Loveless
 
Hazardous,
I think you are absolutely right. It's almost contradicting when you think about it. The very term "wilderness survival" implies a lack of high tech gadgets. I admit that I myself have been guilty of coveting the latest piece of gear, but I thing that too often we lose sight of the basics. As you point out, there are too many people that would never consider leaving the house without their gore-tex boots and GPS unit but don't think twice about leaving their hat hanging on the rack. Don't misunderstand me. I have nothing against gadgets, but that's exactly what they are. They should always be carried and used with the knowledge that they could go belly up when you least expect it. A good basis of knowledge and skills is the key to staying comfortable and safe in any outdoor setting and should never be overlooked. Whenever I find myself with urge to run out and blow several hundred dollars on the latest piece of electronic wizardry featured in Backpacker magazine I simply take a breath and remind myself what it is that draws me to the outdoors in the first place - the urge to get away from people and technology and just spend some time with mother nature. Some of the most relaxing and enjoyable days that I have ever spent involved nothing more than sitting in a tree stand watching the critters and listening to the birds. The most high-tech thing in my posession being a folding knife (unless you count the shotgun
smile.gif
). Think about that the next time you are filling your pack with 10 lbs. of extra batteries for your gear. And don't forget to grab you hat off the rack (I prefer a "boonie" style).

Jeremy
 
It's hard to beat the good old GI boonie hat. The price is hard to beat, and you can waterproof them with Camp Dry spray.
 
i have a beat up 5 year old leather fidora water proofed, cost bout 30 $, invaluable in rain and sun, and best for keeping out te ticks. oooooh I just made it to 100 oh well bfhd.

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Sanity is overrated, simply a moonbeam spilling pearls on a dark and treacherous sea.
j . p hissom
 
JHall,
Glad you mentioned the knife. I am (oops, this is a knife forum) updating my rankings:

Good physical shape (Ugh! etc., etc.)
Quality boots
Best KNIFE you can afford
Hat

Note to MD Poff: I have a huge melon, too. A brief example: When I was in basic in the Army, we went to supply one day to pick up Kevlars. The supply guy didn't listen when I told him I had a huge head and gave me the "average soldiers size" helmet. When I put it on my head and it sat there like a bottle cap on a cantaloupe, my Drill Sergeant went and chewed some a** and wouldn't you know, the supply guy went around the corner and dug up an extra large. Of course since I was a lowly 'cruit the whole thing ended up being MY fault, and about a zillion push ups later I was released to rejoin my squad. At least I didn't have to suffer through headaches for the rest of basic.

The Filsons come in an extra large that us folks with big brains can stretch a bit to fit. Good luck.
 
I've tried MANY types of hats over the years. My choices are my desert camo BOONIE and for COLD weather a wool balaclava.
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Baseball caps are for rookies, Cowboy hats for WINDLESS places, berets for sunless abodes, and HATS rule everywhere!
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Plainsman :)
primitiveguy@hotmail.com

You use what you have on you, then you improvise! :)
 
Amen on the hat, what do you think is the best Kershaw knife? (I get REALLY good deals on them). Also, I have found a bandanna or two extremely useful!!
 
I'd love to get ahold of a good, durable fedora (sp)! Where would you guys suggest I start looking for one made of either wool or canvas?

jeff
 
Hey Guys...

Very Good question..
Hats are extremely important while outdoors...

I wear the hat below. Quite possibly the Best Hat in the world. They are Canadian Forces Desery issue,, and are lifetime. You wear it out,, they replace it,,No Questions!

A zoo worked had one eaten by an elephant. He waited til it came out the other end, washed it,,and is now wearing it once again...
Have a look...


T3N.jpg



They can be found at :
http://www.tilley.com

A Truely Canadian High Quality Product. They also make everything from shirts to underwear!

I Don't leave home without mine during the summer months..

ttyle Eric...

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Eric E. Noeldechen
On/Scene Tactical
http://www.mnsi.net/~nbtnoel
Custom made, High Quality
Concealex Sheaths and Tool Holsters
Canada's Only Custom Concealex Shop!



[This message has been edited by Normark (edited 02-02-2000).]
 
I've got one of those 'Seattle Sombreros'. It's pretty handy. The brim can fold up to the sides when it's not raining, and it's got a chin drawstring thing. I also like my watch cap a lot. It's great for keeping my ears warm. Oh, recently I picked up this fleece neck gaiter, and it's pretty cool. It totally covers your neck, and you can pull it up around your chin, mouth and cheeks. I like it better than a scarf because you don't have to worry about it coming off, or dealing with dangly ends. Oh, and I actually live in Seattle so I don't feel to silly wearing the sombrero while downtown.
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Jared
 
My 2 personal favorite hats are the camo Boonie hat and the pack-hat( http://www.packhats.com ). Both are worth the money!!!

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Big-Target>>>>>>SI VIS PACEM PARA BELLUM

[This message has been edited by Big-Target (edited 02-02-2000).]
 
Jeff, go to your browser and type in Indiana Jones Hat. It will bring up several places that you can purchase a wool felt fedora, as that is what he used. I would suggest a crushable model if you buy one. Another nice outdoors aht is the Borsolino like Fred Bear always wore, he is my choldhood hero and was the reason for me startign to wear a brimmed hat. Guess I thought if I wore one I would shoot like him with the bow, so much for that theory, lol
smile.gif
. I can hold my own but I am not Fred Bear.

My fav hat for most time is my fedora, when it gets really cold I will switch to my navy watch cap.

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Lee

LIfe is too important to be taken seriously. Oscar Wilde
 
A second recommendation for the Tilley. Even though they are Canadian, they are pretty darned good.
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And they come in jumbo head sizes as well. I have a T4 in 8 1/4 kakhi with the olive underbrim.
 
You gonna love those old boonie hats. I also get a lot of mileage out of dew rags & bandanas. Sometimes I wear both. In the winter time I still rely on watch caps
 
I love the old do-rag.

What in the world do you call those Australian hats with the snap on the side to snap the brim up? If you leave the brim down it's like a cross between a fedora and cowboy hat. I'm like MDP--too big a head. I wore an XL football helmet when I shaved my head, now that I have long hippy hair I can't fit in most hats but my mom found this aussie hat at a flea market in St. Louis. It fits me perfectly and it's warm with a big, low brim and a nice leather thong. I know I've seen them since then, MDP, I'll email you if I find where.

Also looking for a light-colored boonie hat for the summer when the aussie hat is too hot. I usually wear a bandanna but my face burns extra crispy.

While we're talking about simple stuff, what's the coolest good, tough long-sleeved shirt I can get? I'm a pretty big guy all-around and I heat up fast but I also burn.
 
Gwinny,
There are some clothes out there made of excellent fabrics. Try manufaturers like The North Face, Patagonia, etc... The North Face in particular makes a synthetic material that I think is called Cool Max or something like that. It is fast drying and very breathable. Patagonia makes some things as well. The only drawback is that the high tech synthetic fabrics can get a little pricey. Try www.rei.com and see what you can find on there as far as clothing. REI also has a closeout website where you can get some pretty good deals. You can also try www.campmor.com adn the Sierra Trading post (not sure the web address, but it should be easy to find) they are both closeout type stores. I have dealt with Campmor quite a bit and got great deals and excellent service. Whatever you do, stay away from cotton. If you get hot easily, then you probably sweat a lot. You will be miserable in cotton!! Hope this helps.
Jeremy

P.S. Gwinny, I noticed your from Monmouth - nice to see someone on here that's close to home.
 
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